20 for the Colonel

Hey wait, I just realized my initials are JZ as well. Huh. Never thought of that.

2. A/S/L/F (age, sex, location, family)?

45 / M / Hershey, PA / DW Kim and kids Jason (4) and Lilia (2). This is why I'm always tired and not a more active member of The Loop.

3. When is your Loopiversary (date of your first blog on the Loop)?

I think sometime in 2009. Doesn't look like I have history that far back in my blog. I was quite active for a while and became a right-sider back when that was a thing. Then a beautiful little boy came into our lives, followed by a beautiful little girl, and I haven't quite been the same runner or blogger since, though I have become a better man.

4. How long have you been running?

Not counting the constant running I did as a kid in the neighborhood, I had an undistinguished high school track career. As an adult I was an occasional jogger (yes, jogger) who became more serious when a former girlfriend informed me in 2001 that we'd be running the Philly Marathon that fall. She dropped out when we were up to 16-miles in training, and I kept going.

5. What is your favorite distance to race?

The half might be my best distance, but I don't know that I have a favorite. 5Ks HURT but are over quickly and allow you to enjoy that race-day buzz on a regular basis. I often question my sanity during the last 10K of a marathon, but feel like a champion afterwards (well, 3-5 hours afterwards). I'm now feeling the tug of ultras after reading some of the epic RRs here.

6. Do you belong to a local running club?

No. Harrisburg has a small club but the few times I went there was no one at my pace so it seemed silly to drive and still end up running on my own, at whatever distance they'd decided to go. And I'm not really a chatty runner anyway.

7. Have you ever been to a Loopmeet or Loopfest?

Yes, but I don't think I've yet done one "right." My family travels with me which is great, but chasing after goofballs while everyone else is breaking the ice tends to put me on the periphery. I hope to end this pattern at Marshall and Surf City this year, not to mention Boston.

8. Have you ever lost a toenail?

No, but the second toe on my right foot always turns black, then over time a new layer grows under the old one. Sometimes this happens repeatedly until it gets really thick and I have to chisel away at it.

9. What is your favorite post-race treat?

Pizza, unless I'm on the verge of throwing up. Then it's lying face down in the grass.

10. What one piece of running gear is your must-have item?

Well, shorts, but barring that, for racing I've been a fan of the Asics Hyper Speed series for a long time.

11. What socks do you wear when running?

The ones I grab when I stick my hand in the sock drawer. I really should pay more attention to socks.

12. How do your knees feel?

Beautiful. Don't ask me about my $&@#%* Achilles.

13. If you could go to any one running destination/event, where.what would you choose?

No dream event, but I've had my eye on the Mt. Desert Island Marathon for a long time. It looks tough, beautiful, and is in one of my favorite places. Loopfest Acadia anyone?

14. Hot or cold--which is worse to run in?

Hot, but more than that humidity. It sucks my will to live.

15. If you have a running inspiration or mentor, who is it?

No one person. I'm inspired by different people at different times including many on here. I'm currently being inspired by all the hundos going down, courtesy of our own Loopsters.

16. What is your running mantra? (If your answer is "I have no mantra" or something lame like that, you must answer "Da do run, run, run. Da do run, run")

When I pressed too hard at Shamrock on a day I may have been doomed in any case, and completely flamed out, my mantra for my redemption training became "Don't get sped up," as in don't get caught up in what the watch says for the first few miles. A lesson I've learned too many times. It worked and I was able to BQ at Gettysburg 6 weeks later.

17. Are there any other runners in your family?

Kinda. Kim is considering a C25K and I have my fingers crossed. Jason is a fierce runner with great endurance but at age 4 we'll let him chart his own course. I'll try to be a running role model, but that boy loves contact. Lilia runs with the joy of a 2 year old. Not trying to brag, but I totally dominate at tag.

18. Roads or trails?

I'm a road runner. I like trails but getting there takes some time that I don't generally have, unless you count my rail trail.

19. What's the funniest thing that has ever happened to you on a run?

Hmmm. Does having to drop tights for a creative, bare ass "bathroom" break at about 5 AM during a polar vortex count? I wish I could say this happened only once this past winter.

20. What is your most memorable running moment?

Probably the end of my first marathon, Philly 2001, coming toward the Art Museum, hearing the crowd noise get bigger and bigger and knowing I'd done it. There must have been some pollen in the air that day to make my throat swell and eyes get misty.

Surf City? I don't think it will be much of a loopfest this year. I only know of Roger (Ocean101) coming so far. Are you coming for sure?

Pretty sure. I have a brother in SoCal, a childhood friend, we owe Alice and JB a return visit, and excited to see whoever's there at whatever speed I'm running at that point. A small Loopmeet suits me just fine.

I'm totally up for an Acadian Loopfest. I run it every year. The race is tough, but gorgeous. Also, if you're going to go, don't plan on staying the week after, everything on the island shuts down for winter literally the day after the race.

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